SIN - Relating to Others

Today we concluded the series on SIN. In this final lesson, SIN - Relating to Others, I reemphasized (from last week's lesson) that those trapped by Evil  are not fighting a battle in this realm. It is a spiritual war--not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

I used the visual example of the TV series Under the Dome to show how it must feel to be trapped. Look at this short trailer for the proposed movie version of Stephen King's Under the Dome.

In class, I used a snow globe to show how we must be positioned if we desire to help anyone trapped by Evil. While the one trapped by Evil is inside of the globe with sin whirling around, we must remain on the outside and focused on the Glory of the Lord. As we focus on God's Glory, confessed of our sins, our life becomes a mirror of God's character. We mirror God's character into the globe to the one who is held captive by Evil. It is God's Holy Spirit, working through us, that does all the work. DO NOT think you can enter the globe on a human rescue mission. You will be destroyed.

"We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image..." 2 Corinthians 3:18

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." Galatians 6:1

SIN - Defeat It

Today we let Paul tell us how to defeat sin. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul uses Roman armor to help us visualize the six key weapons of spiritual warfare: belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword.

Born a Roman citizen during the height of the Roman Empire, and having spent his entire life around Roman soldiers, including the years he spent in Roman prisons, I'm certain Paul was very familiar with the uniform of the Roman soldier. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul uses the six vital pieces of a Roman soldier's armor to instruct the saints how to apply their position in Christ.

Unlike the Roman soldier who fought his battles in the physical realm, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 6:12).

Next week we will complete the series with the final lesson: SIN - Relating to Others.

SIN - Dissect It

Today we took another step closer in our observation of SIN and looked at the more subtle sins and the danger they present to our spiritual lives. I used the "sin tree" as an illustration.

All sins are rooted in ungodliness. We are ungodly when we are living our everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, or of our dependence on God--having little or no desire to develop an intimate relationship with God. Ungodliness is not to be confused with unrighteousness which refers to sinful actions in thought, word, or deed. Ungodliness is an attitude where unrighteousness is sinfulness.

The following four examples further expand on what a life of ungodliness would look like.

Making plans without recognizing our dependence on God to carry them out. Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:13-15)

Praying prayers about what we need or want (quick fixes to make ourselves feel better)-treating Him like our bell-hop while not praying that our lives be God-centered. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Colossians 1:9-10)

Living life in every activity with no thought of glory to Him before Him alone and before others. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Lacking desire for the development of an intimate relationship with God.  As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  (Psalm 42:1-2)

Ungodliness begins much like the spot of decay on the enamel of a tooth. The small, unnoticeable, black spot, if left untreated, will in time cause more decay, pain, a probable root canal, an expensive crown, or possibly a tooth extraction and the loss of chewing function--or worse. The subtle sins of everyday life are the little black spots on your heart.

For example: Impatience is the seed of irritability. Irritability grows into anger. Anger held on to becomes resentment. Resentment develops into bitterness. Bitterness fuels the fires of enmity (hostility). Enmity breeds grudges (as in holding grudges). And then we have full-blown HATE!

The good news for the Christian is that God has defeated ALL sin through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

God is ready to purify your heart from sin so that the good fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control) will be evident in your life.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

 RECOGNIZE - REPENT - RESTORE

Use God's Word to restore your heart.

Anxiety/Frustration/Worry/Fear

“Do not be anxious about anything.” Philippians 4:6
“Cast all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16
“Do not worry about tomorrow.” Matthew 6:34
“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:7

Impatience/Irritability/Anger
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
“A person's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is to his credit that he ignores an offence.” Proverbs 19:11
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Unthankfulness
“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

Selfishness
“Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:4
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Lack of Self-Control
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28
“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32
“Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.” Proverbs 14:17

SIN - Define It

Today we defined sin. With the help of Barna Group, we looked at some disturbing statistics of how believers and non-believers view the Holy Spirit and relate to temptation and sin.

"Only 1% of Americans of any age are able to articulate that giving in to temptation might be caused by sin." (Barna Group)

 "When facing a temptation, remarkably, most Americans (59%) say they don't do anything specific to avoid the tempting situation." (Barna Group)

When Christians were asked, "Do you believe the Holy Spirit is a living force?" 58% said "NO!" Only 33% agreed that the Holy Spirit was a living force. (Barna Group)

As a Christian, how you view the Holy Spirit and relate to temptation and sin will determine whether you live a defeated spiritual life or walk in God's purpose and will. Sin separates you from God and His purpose for your life, but He has provided a solution through Jesus Christ and the  Holy Spirit.

Next week, I will peel back the next layer on our study of sin and DISSECT IT!